North Carolina’s Casey Engel works in ceramics, textiles and printmaking. She is proof an artist doesn’t have to choose on medium to express herself.
Artist: Born and raised in Pensacola, FL, Engel earned a BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2015.
After college, she worked in a commercial frame shop in Asheville and was certified by the Professional Picture Framers of America (PPFA)
Since 2018, Engel has worked at Blue Spiral 1 gallery as its exhibitions coordinator and curator.
Studio: Based in Asheville, NC since 2015, Engel works on her art from a home studio.
In the beginning: Engel wasn’t really exposed to art until college, but then took a drawing class and was hooked. Drawing led to clay, clay led to printmaking, printmaking led to fiber.
Art & materials:
- Quilt-making. All the materials, including tablecloths, bedsheets and napkins, have served a functional role in the home. She finds her fabric in thrift stores.
“In the past year I have been sourcing feed sack fabric to make quilts out of,” said Engel.
- Clay. Uses a terracotta based clay that she gets in Asheville. To draw on the surface, she uses underglaze and a variety of commercial glazes.
- Printmaking. Carves Shina plywood and hand prints on Japanese or handmade paper.
What’s popular: Framed and unframed quilts ($900 to $8,000). Also woodcuts and drawings ($700 to $2,600).
Favorite tools: Rubber thimbles in quilting. “Makes it effortless to grab the needle,” said Engel.
Inspirations:
- Artists, including: Eva Hesse, Louise Bourgeois, Al Taylor, Richard Tuttle, Gee’s Bend quilters, Martin Puryear, Agnes Martin, and Rachel Whiteread.
- Architecture and film.
Recent awards/honors:
- Residency at The Hambidge Center (GA), working on quilts. 2024.
- Residency at Township10 (NC) for sculptural ceramics. 2024.
- Solo exhibition at Converse University (SC), showcasing quilts, woodcuts, and ceramic sculpture. Feb. 2024.
Recent project: Just completed a residency at Township10, an artists’ retreat, where she made 13 ceramic sculptures.
What’s new: “Common Thread,” an exhibit at the Blue Spiral 1 gallery in downtown Asheville. Sept. 6-Oct. 23. Engel curated and is exhibiting in the show.
Where to buy: Blue Spiral 1 gallery (bluespiral1.com).
Get social: Instagram: @casey__engel
